This is the movie Corbin Bernsen made with community support, making him believe he could do the same thing in Akron with his soap-box-derby-themed "25 Hill." The official word:

The real population of the small Canadian town of Kipling makes its feature film debut in Rust, an uplifting story coming to DVD Oct. 5 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Affirm Films/Provident Films. The town’s residents united to actually produce and finance—in some cases, to join the cast of—this story of faith and redemption written, directed, and starring two-time Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award nominee Corbin Bernsen (TV’s “LA Law” and “Psych”). In the story, as Bernsen’s character unravels a mysterious tragedy and wrongful accusations, he rediscovers his own ties to God. The Rust DVD is loaded with bonus content, including deleted scenes, a filmmaker commentary track, and four featurettes including “The Making of Rust.” Rust will be available on DVD for $24.96 SRP.

Where "Mad Men" a week ago was a reminder of how well-written the show can be, Sunday's episode (titled "Waldorf Stories") was a showcase for the acting in the show -- especially by Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss and Christina Hendricks. . .

Bristol Palin, the 'Hoff, more. I wasn't going to sit through "Bachelor Pad" to see all the names, but ABC sent out the release pretty soon after "BP" ended. So, full announcement:

An all-new lineup of stars -- including a Grammy® Award-winning singer, a Super Bowl MVP quarterback, television’s ultimate mom, an NBA champion, Alaska’s most famous daughter, and the most watched TV star in the world – will battle each week on the dance floor in the sensational two-hour season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

I didn't live-post the Emmys, or watch them live for that matter. Was on the road for about half the telecast and studying the other half. (Yup, back in school.) But I did catch up to the above clip, which is charming -- although I would have been much happier if Kate Gosselin had gotten her one scene (or none) and that was it. Even in the background she's irritating.

While the movie and its predecessor ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo") are still enjoying theatrical runs, the DVD/Blu-ray release of the second film has been set for Oct. 26. That's three days before the third Swedish film, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest," arrives in U.S. theaters.

For the 2010-2011 broadcast season, Nielsen estimates the total number of TV households in the U.S. will climb to 115.9 million, an increase of one million homes from last year. Nielsen also estimates an increase of more than two million persons age two and older (P2+) in U.S. TV households, for a total of 294,650,000 people.

From TLC: One of television’s favorite families prepares to say goodbye as TLC confirms that the previously announced upcoming sixth season of the hit series LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD will be the series finale. For more than 200 episodes, the Roloffs – parents Matt and Amy, both little people, and their kids Jeremy, Zach, Molly, and Jacob – have welcomed viewers to share their daily lives from their pumpkin farm in Oregon. Since it began airing in 2006, an average of 74 million P2+ viewers each year tuned in to LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD to watch the family’s adventures.

“Through LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD, the Roloffs have touched the hearts and enlightened the minds of millions of people worldwide,” said Eileen O’Neill, President & GM, TLC. “Its groundbreaking premiere introduced us all to the realities of being a little person, and we thank Matt & Amy and their family for their courage and willingness to share their lives.”

I am way excited (although that excitement is tempered by the absence of a price tag). The official word:

Shout! Factory celebrates one of the most important and beloved entertainers of our time with the November 2 release of the 7-DVD box set Frank Sinatra: Concert Collection, which contains over 14 hours of television and concert performances from the ’50s through the ’80s, including four previously unreleased specials, a box-set exclusive compilation of vintage performances, and a 44-page book featuring rare photographs and notes by Sinatra scholar Bill Zehme. Concert For The Americas, included in the set, will be released separately on December 14.

The official word: Thu Tran, the creator and host of the Independent Film Channel's award-winning Food Party, will appear in person on Sunday, September 12 when the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque presents the special program "A Food Party Party with Thu Tran" at 7:00 pm in CIA's Aitken Auditorium, 11141 East Boulevard in University Circle. Ms. Tran, a 2005 graduate of The Cleveland Institute of Art, will show highlights from her hit series and answer audience questions about it.

From the network: Before the days of TV news, many Americans had their views of the world shaped by newsreels that preceded feature presentations at local movie theaters. This September, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the groundbreaking journalism series The March of Time. TCM will present four hours of classic newsreels Sunday, Sept. 5, beginning at 8 p.m. (ET). TCM’s presentation is part of a major, multi-platform initiative involving HBO Archives and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

TCM’s newsreel presentations will include “Inside Nazi Germany,” the single-most crucial and controversial of the films. “Inside Nazi Germany” was created in 1937, when The March of Time hired a cinematographer with a hidden camera to shoot in Berlin. The film introduced Adolf Hitler to a then-fiercely isolationist America. David O. Selznick praised “Inside Nazi Germany” as “one of the greatest and most important reels in the history of pictures.” Radio City Music Hall ran the film for a record 16 weeks.

Brown, who plays Shirley on the NBC comedy, will receive a distinguished alum award from the University of Akron and will speak with students. "Community," by the way, begins its second season on Sept. 23. The official word:

The University of Akron’s Office of Multicultural Development will recognize the contributions of outstanding student leaders, distinguished alumni and community leaders at its eighth annual Scholarship Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 25 in the Student Union Ballroom.

BET Networks takes an in-depth look at the role of female rappers in the hip-hop industry in the premiere of its first original music documentary special, MY MIC SOUNDS NICE: A TRUTH ABOUT WOMEN AND HIP HOP. The documentary will premiere on August 30th at 10:00 PM EST on BET.

AMC's newest original series, “The Walking Dead,” will premiere on Halloween night, Sunday, October 31 at 10 PM ET. The Sunday night series will debut with a 90-minute premiere episode, airing at 10 PM, October 31st. Subsequent episodes will be one-hour long presentations.

In conjunction with the announcement, today AMC released a four and a half-minute trailer, previewing the series, as was seen at this year’s Comicon. The trailer can be viewed on www.amctv.com.

I had a piece in Sunday's print editions, and now online here, about movies and TV shows set in schools. I did not offer a best-of but looked at some of the themes and approaches productions have taken.

Of course, there was a lot more to say, and there were plenty of other titles to mention. (One reader has already questioned my omission of "To Sir, With Love." As penance, Lulu's song is now firmly stuck in my head.) Feel free to use the comments section with this post for your thoughts about school onscreen, or to mention some of your faves.

The fascinating but very sad series returns Sept. 6. The official word:

A&E’s critically acclaimed “Hoarders,” the first and most-watched series about people struggling with extreme hoarding, returns for a third season with 20 all-new episodes beginning Monday, September 6, 2010.

From ABC:Jennifer Aniston is set to guest star alongside Courteney Cox on the Season Two premiere of ABC’s “Cougar Town,” WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET). Aniston’s appearance marks the first time the two have worked together since “Dirt.” She can currently be seen in the feature film “The Switch,” in theaters now.

VH1’s five-time Emmy® Award-nominated documentary series “Behind The Music” returns with a brand new special episode featuring “American Idol” winner and four-time Grammy Award nominee, Fantasia Barrino. Included in this episode, Fantasia will address the most recent events in her life in an interview that was taped on Saturday, August 21. Narrated by Jim Forbes, this "Behind The Music" will give viewers an inside look into the personal and professional life of one of music’s greatest vocalists. Along with interviews from Fantasia herself, the episode will feature stories from some of the people who know her best as well as never-before-seen footage. “Behind The Music: Fantasia” premieres on Tuesday, August 24 at 9:00 PM [Eastern/Pacific].

A New Yorker critic once referred to "the stifled rage of middle-class, middle-aged ennui" -- a pretty fine description of what is going on with Don Draper these days. But the line was in a review of John Cassavetes' 1970 film "Husbands," and I have been seeing more and more of Cassavetes in the fourth season of "Mad Men."

This week's mailbag deals in part with readers' reactions to my column about "The Big C." I have posted the text of the original column after the jump.

To expand on the point: War is not funny, but funny films and TV shows have been set during wars. Death is not funny, but it has been part of comedies. Cancer is not funny. But it is possible to make a funny production involving it, as "The Big C" does.

Randomized questions and dollar values, no hot seat, new lifeline. The official word:

An all-new season of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” with Emmy Award-winning host Meredith Vieira will premiere Monday, September 13 (check local listings) and this upcoming year promises to be a real game changer! From the very first question, viewers will see more strategy, unpredictability, excitement and tension as contestants try to win the show’s $1-million top prize. It will be the same great “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” but with some new twists and turns that will add even more risk, reward and fun. ...

David Hasselhoff hosts. From the network: The CW Network will air THE GULF IS BACK, an emotionally charged one-hour special paying tribute to the people of Mississippi and the entire Gulf region, on Friday, August 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET).

Actor and singer David Hasselhoff will host the special, which focuses on the resiliency of the residents of the Gulf Coast region and how they are bouncing back from the worst oil spill in the nation’s history while working tirelessly to restore their communities and lives.

From the network: Syfy is greenlighting its hit original dramedy Eureka for a 5th season, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, which produces the series.

Eureka seems like any other cozy, Pacific Northwest town, but is actually a secret community of geniuses assembled by the government to conduct top-secret research. What they’ve unwittingly created is a place where anything imaginable can happen… and does. Eureka stars Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston, Niall Matter, James Callis and features Jordon Hinson. Co-creator Jaime Paglia and Bruce Miller are Executive Producers.

I took a few days off in Virginia, visiting my mother and helping out with some things. Also, traveling Memory Lane, as you can see in some of the photos I have posted on Facebook. In my absence, DirecTV issued a release with lots of plot information about the "fifth and final" season of "FNL." Here it goes:

Friday Night Lights will return to DIRECTV’s The 101 Network for its the fifth and final season on Wednesday, October 27 at 9 p.m. Lead by recent Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress Emmy nominees Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, the season five cast will feature series regulars Aimee Teegarden, Michael B. Jordan, Matt Lauria, Jurnee Smollett, Madison Burge and newcomer Grey Damon (90210, True Blood). Former cast members Jesse Plemmons, Taylor Kitsch, Scott Porter, Adrianne Palicki and Zach Gilford will return throughout the course of the final season.

I wonder if "Deadwood" will look even more raw in Blu-ray. From HBO: If you like rip-roaring action, misfits and outlaws, and tales of plunder and greed, then Deadwood, South Dakota is your kind of place. Revisit the Wild West settlement in all its glory and infamy when Deadwood: The Complete Series debuts on Blu-Ray Disc from HBO Home Entertainment® November 23, 2010, just in time for holiday gift-giving. Boxed in beautiful collectible casing, the 13-disc ultimate BD set is presented in HD 1080p Full HD video and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, all for the suggested retail price of $209.98. The collection includes all 36 episodes of the series, plus a robust bonus disc packed with content that features an exclusive conversation with series creator David Milch on the conclusion of the series.

From Lionsgate: Experience the action of an immortal's journey through time and space like never before with Highlander and Highlander 2, each coming to individual 1080P High Definition Blu-ray Disc for the first time ever! The explosive beginning to one of the most popular film franchises of all time blasts onto Blu-ray packed with special features including deleted scenes from each film. The Highlander Blu-ray features the director's cut of the film and audio commentary with director Russell Mulcahy and producers Peter S. Davis and William N. Panzer, while the Highlander 2 disc adds enhanced and re-imagined visual effects, four featurettes, an alternate ending , the original Cannes film festival promotion reel, an alternate ending and the original theatrical trailer.

I watched "Drop Dead Diva" in its first season but the second just has not done much for me. I have had to invoke the five-episode rule: If five episodes of a show get backed up, unwatched, on the DVR, then I won't get around to watching it. And so "DDD" has left the cache.

I figure that I have a maximum one con-artist TV series in me at any one time. Tried to embrace both "White Collar" and "Leverage" and have settled on just "Leverage." A big reason: I like the cast and characters better on the TNT show.

The Cleveland Play House and the Theatre Guild, Inc. present Ed Asner in a solo performance of FDR as part of Heritage Week at The Cleveland Play House. Ed Asner, recipient of seven Emmy Awards ("Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Lou Grant") and 16 nominations, five Golden Globe Awards, and a member of the TV Academy Hall of Fame, returns to The Play House having starred in Born Yesterday in 1988 and inducted into The Cleveland Play House Hall of Fame in 1989. This one-time only performance takes place at 8:00pm on September 25, 2010 in the Bolton Theatre. Ticket price is $50.00 for performance only. A limited number of $95.00 tickets are also available, which include premium seating for the performance and a dessert reception with Ed Asner immediately following the show. For more information, call (216) 795-7000 ext 4 or go online at http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/showinfo.asp?eventID=103

The series, plus the two movies, and a $250 price tag. For that much, shouldn't it also include the numerous music CDs? After all, this set is aimed at people who will buy all things SAT. So it doesn't matter if they've already glommed the soundtracks, not to mention the previous lavish box of the series. From HBO:

A must-have accessory for every “city” girl, and a perfect holiday gift, there has never been one ultimate Sex and the City anthology…until now. Available for a limited time, HBO Home Entertainment presents Sex and the City: The Complete Collection featuring all six seasons and 94 episodes of the Emmy® Award-winning series along with the two celebrated films Sex and the City: The Movie and Sex and the City 2. Debuting October 26, 2010, the collection includes an all-new bonus disc featuring 90 minutes of exclusive interviews with executive producer Michael Patrick King and The Writers of Sex and the City.

I kind of thought this thing was chum, but no. And it's adding Jeff Foxworthy. From ABC:

The ABC Television Network has ordered eight additional episodes of the critically-acclaimed series “Shark Tank,” the reality series that gives budding entrepreneurs a chance to make their dreams come true and become successful –- and possibly wealthy –- business people. The aspiring entrepreneurs must first try to convince five tough, multi-millionaire tycoons to part with their own hard-earned cash and give them the funding they need to jumpstart their business ideas.

The big name, former football coach Jimmy Johnson, has long been known. I don't know how he plans to play "Survivor." But when SI.com offered its list of the most hated sports teams of all time, the Johnson-coached University of Miami football team from 1986 ranked number one, and his 1992 Dallas Cowboys were third.* And, as previously posted here, it's going to be a competition between a tribe of over-40s and one of under-30s. You can find the full list of contestants here. (CBS formats the announcement in a way that makes it almost impossible for me to paste.)

*The list, by the way, seems to have been made just so the 2010-11 Miami Heat, with you-know-who, could be included. In 25th. Before playing.

And, looking at the schedule, I wonder, what am I supposed to watch between midnight and 1 a.m.? From ESPN:ESPN’s definitive sports news brand, SportsCenter, will expand by seven hours each weekday beginning Monday, Aug. 30, when ESPNEWS offers live SportsCenter programs from 3-6 and 7-11 p.m. ET. ESPNEWS, the 24-hour sports news network, will continue to present 30-minute news and highlights blocks the rest of the day, outside of the SportsCenter windows. The new ESPNEWS editions will supplement SportsCenter on ESPN, which airs live on weekdays generally from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at 6 p.m., 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. (reaired 2-9 a.m.), and on weekends.

As part of the expansion, during SportsCenter on ESPNEWS, there will be an increased emphasis on integrated elements to and from ESPN.com, particularly in the 3-6 p.m. block. Examples will include television segments incorporating ESPN’s local.com sites (ESPNBoston.com, ESPNNewYork.com, ESPNLosAngeles.com, ESPNChicago.com and ESPNDallas.com); interactive polls; fan videos and photos; social media content from fans and athletes; and viewer Q&As with ESPN commentators. Potential SportsCenter-branded videos produced for ESPN.com each day may include extended interviews, the most memorable video of the day, most talked about stories and best highlights and star performances.

“SportsCenter is our flagship franchise and we’re always looking for new and effective ways to strengthen it,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. “These steps will increase the show’s live TV presence, connect with sports fans in the digital space and provide dynamic new sales opportunities. We’re showcasing SportsCenter within primetime television hours and during an active time for online traffic.”

Cindy Brunson and Robert Flores will generally co-host the 3-6 p.m. SportsCenter block. The anchor team from ESPN’s 6 p.m. show will also work the 7-8 p.m. hour on ESPNEWS, while the 8-11 p.m. SportsCenter window on ESPNEWS will primarily be co-hosted by Linda Cohn and Kevin Negandhi.

The new format of SportsCenter on ESPNEWS will provide more flexibility to create new advertising elements, which may include integrated packages with SportsCenter on ESPN.com and sponsor-able, commercial-free hours within the new programming blocks.

Fans of the old "V" miniseries and series will remember Badler (pictured from the old show) as Diana, one of the most evil of the lizard invaders. She was, in essence, the Morgan Fairchild of "V." From ABC:Actress Jane Badler, best known for her role on the original “V” series, will join the cast of ABC’s “V” as a recurring guest star, playing Diana, mother to Anna (Morena Baccarin), who is now the leader of the Vs. Badler will make her debut in the Season 2 premiere of the series. “V,” which received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series, stood as television’s No. 1 new drama during the 09-10 TV season in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, delivering substantial year-to-year improvement in both of its Tuesday time periods (8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.). “V” finished No. 1 in both time periods among key Men (M18-34/M18-49). Season 2 will feature more character and lizard reveals, more details about the Vs’ mythology – in which Badler will play an important role -- and more action and more plot twists. Viewers can expect a roller coaster ride week to week. “V” stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack, Charles Mesure as Kyle Hobbes, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker.

Not much suspense, since AdeChike had given what amounted to a farewell speech on Wednesday' show, and Mia was so relentless in her criticism of his work, only major fan backlash could have saved him. But I don't really have a favorite from those remaining: Lauren and Robert have both seemed kind of bland, and I am really tired of Kent's aw-shucking. I did like the Flo Rida song, and as tired as I am of "Step Up 3D" promotion I might want to see it. Or 15 minutes of it. Anyway, the official word from Fox:

Kent Boyd, Lauren Froderman and Robert Roldan were named this season’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Top 3 finalists after an amazing 10 million votes were cast last night. Eliminated tonight was AdéChiké Torbert, 23, a Contemporary dancer from Brooklyn, NY.

The announcement: Multiple Emmy® award-winning television host, celebrated performer, renowned philanthropist, and all-around talent, Rosie O’Donnell will make her return to daytime television exclusively on OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK. From 1996 to 2002, Ms. O’Donnell delighted audiences as the host of the highly successful daytime talk show “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” For OWN, she will bring her trademark humor and down-to-earth approach to a new daily talk show scheduled to premiere in 2011. The announcement was made today by Chief Executive Officer, Christina Norman. “Rosie is an undeniable talent who has captivated TV audiences for nearly 20 years,” said Oprah Winfrey. “She’s a true original, who brings her authentic voice, dynamic energy and pure passion to everything she does.” “It’s an honor and a privilege to work with Oprah Winfrey on her network,” said Rosie O’Donnell. “I’m excited to be back on daytime television.” “We are thrilled to have her be a part of OWN,” said Ms. Norman.

Continues after the jump.
The program, produced by Ms. O’Donnell, was brought to OWN by longtime Warner Bros. syndication veterans Dick Robertson and Scott Carlin, now of SantaBu LLC Inc. The show will be a daytime one-hour daily show based in New York. Fans can anticipate a fun, uplifting show with Ms. O’Donnell’s playful and energetic style. One of the most successful talk show hosts of the past 15 years, Rosie O’Donnell earned six consecutive Daytime Emmys® for Outstanding Talk Show Host during her years on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” The show, a beloved departure from the many sensational talk shows of the time, skyrocketed in ratings and audiences enjoyed her warm and approachable style, along with the fuzzy koosh balls she launched at the crowd and camera. In 2006, Ms. O’Donnell replaced Meredith Vieira as co-host and moderator of “The View,” resulting in a 27 percent ratings increase and, during her time on the program, it was the fourth most-watched in all of daytime for women 18-49. An outspoken advocate for children’s needs, her recent HBO special, “A Family Is a Family is A Family: A Rosie O’Donnell Celebration,” celebrated her family, along with other types of families, sharing funny and oftentimes profound insights on family life and love proving that families come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Additionally, her charitable organization, Rosie’s Theatre Kids, offers underserved children arts education enrichment, along with the chance to enjoy Broadway theatre. Today, she can be heard on Sirius XM Radio’s "Rosie Radio," a daily two-hour show featuring Ms. O'Donnell discussing the day’s news and events. An actress, comedian, and the author of several best-selling books, she lives in New York with her children.

This is of local interest because the Jets now include Jason Taylor, formerly of the University of Akron (and "Dancing With the Stars"). From HBO:

HBO Sports, in association with NFL Films and the New York Jets, provides an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League in HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – begins its five-episode sixth season, presented in HD, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Other hour-long episodes debut subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, with an encore play immediately following each episode’s debut at 11:00 p.m., culminating in the Sept. 8 season finale.

From Fox this morning:Nigel Lythgoe will return as an executive producer of AMERICAN IDOL, television’s No. 1 series. Lythgoe joins executive producers Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick for the milestone 10th anniversary season of AMERICAN IDOL, premiering January 2011 on FOX.

“Since we launched the original ‘Pop Idol’ in England, I’ve remained close with Simon Fuller. Working as executive producer on AMERICAN IDOL for its first seven years not only was an inspirational journey into the heart of American pop culture, it opened my eyes to the untapped potential of the incredibly dynamic young people in this world. I have been able to continue discovering raw talent on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which I co-created with Simon,” said Lythgoe. “AMERICAN IDOL became a juggernaut of epic proportions, but to me it was always like home. I am elated and honored to be rejoining childhood friend and fellow executive producer Ken Warwick, and look forward to creating more magic.”

The Cleveland quartet got rough treatment from the judges on Tuesday's show, when their harmonies were not great. So it wasn't much of a surprise tonight when they were sent home, especially after being grouped with two performers who had gotten better reviews. Between this and the previous ouster of Strange Familiar, NE Ohio has had a rough go on "AGT."

From MTV: From pop to rock to hip-hop, today's hottest artists will vie for the coveted Moonman award at the "2010 MTV Video Music Awards." MTV today announced the nominees with Lady Gaga leading the way with an incredible thirteen nods including “Best Pop Video,” “Best Female Video” and “Best Dance Music Video” for her global chart-topping hit “Bad Romance.” No stranger to breaking records, Gaga can now boast having the most nominations ever in a single VMA as well as being the first female artist nominated for two different videos in the “Video of the Year” category for “Bad Romance” and “Telephone” featuring Beyoncé.

Coming off the success of his latest album, Eminem is this year’s most nominated male artist, racking up eight nominations including “Best Male Video,” and “Video of the Year” for “Not Afraid.” VMA newcomer Ke$ha is up for three Moonmen for “Tik Tok” while up and coming rapper B.o.B has an impressive five nominations including in the “Best Hip-Hop” category for “Airplanes” against “Forever” by Drake. Other artists receiving first time VMA nominations are Justin Bieber for “Best New Artist” for his hit single “Baby,” indie favorite Florence + The Machine with five noms for “Dog Days Are Over” and Jason Derulo for “In My Head.”

The official word:NBC announced updates to its new fall schedule including an early premiere for “Parenthood,” which will follow the penultimate episode of summer’s top-rated “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday, September 14 (10-11 p.m. ET). Likewise, NBC will preview its new drama series “Outlaw” -- starring Jimmy Smits -- right after the climactic season finale of “America’s Got Talent” on Wednesday, September 15 (10-11 p.m. ET).

In addition, “The Apprentice” will now premiere a week earlier on Thursday, September 16 (9-11 p.m. ET). Donald Trump returns to the boardroom in a new edition of the popular series that will now help put America back to work.

From Fox:TERRA NOVA, the new family adventure drama series executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga and David Fury, will preview in May 2011 on FOX prior to its series premiere in the fall.

Jason O’Mara (“Life on Mars”) has been cast in the lead role of JIM SHANNON, the patriarch of the show’s central family. As previously announced, Emmy Award winner Alex Graves (FRINGE) will direct the pilot, and Emmy Award-winning executive producer and director Jon Cassar (“24”) has joined the series as an executive producer and series director.

The official word: Two rarely seen Ken Burns films, WILLIAM SEGAL and IN THE MARKETPLACE, will be broadcast as part of special fundraising programming in July-August 2010 (check local listings) on PBS stations, PBS announced today. The two films, airing together on PBS as “Seeing, Searching, Being,” are part of a trilogy which also includes the third film VÉZELAY. All three films will be available on a “Seeing, Searching, Being” DVD as part of a PBS fundraising package.

The three films, which explore the life and teachings of the publisher, painter and philosopher William Segal (1904 – 2000), grew out of Burns’s relationship with Segal during the final decade of his life.

From ABC:In her first report as a contributor to “Good Morning America,” Erin Andrews sits down with three women who were the victims of stalking and are speaking out in order to raise awareness about the issue. Andrews, who very publicly experienced a similar situation herself last year, chronicles the women’s fight and the push for tougher anti-stalking laws. Her first report will air on “Good Morning America” on Thursday, August 5, 2010.

Andrews also contributes to ESPN’s College GameDay and serves as sideline reporter for the network’s college football and basketball games.

“Good Morning America,” the Emmy Award-winning morning news program featuring the anchor team of Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Sam Champion and Juju Chang, airs live Monday through Friday from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. ET on the ABC Television Network. Jim Murphy is the senior executive producer and Tom Cibrowski is the executive producer of “Good Morning America.”

The bride I took a long weekend (or a short break, depending on how you want to define it) to attend my aunt's 80th birthday celebration in Virginia. Delightful time. I have spent a fair amount of today in the yard: mowing lawn, a little weeding, trimmer and edger run, clutter picked up and the like. Much tidier now, although it is needing regular watering.

I did also watch Sunday's "Mad Men" and will post about it either tonight or tomorrw. Ditto re Mitch Miller, who has passed away, and postings of items filling up the email in my absence.